Three-month watch band calendar with jewelry-like surface

ABSTRACT

A spinning disk abrades a sheet of metal either while it is stationary or while it is moved longitudinally. The disk thereby forms a pattern of nested circular or hyperbolic or somewhat semicircular score lines depending upon whether the metal is stationary or is moved. These score lines provide a background of light reflecting areas which change and move as the watch band tilts and tips with normal wrist movement. The scored metal is stamped out in discrete watch band units with the calendars of three months printed thereon. The metal is shaped and formed to preserve three flat panels which give an impression of jewel-like facets.

United States Patent 1 Anderson 1 Sept. 4, 1973 THREE-MONTH WATCH BAND CALENDAR WITH JEWELRY-LIKE SURFACE Chicago, 111.

[22] Filed: Nov. 3, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 195,120

[52] US. Cl 40/107, 40/21 C, 40/137 [51] Int. Cl. G091! 3/00 [58] Field of Search 40/107, 21 R, 21 C,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,710,489 l/1973 Anderson 40/107 3,546,800 12/1970 Tate, .Ir 40/107 3,556,291 l/197l Sebring 40/21 C X 3,603,014 9/1971 Schomburg 40/107 3,623,253 11/197] Hohulin 40/21 C 3,340,630 9/1967 Becker 40/107 3,455,043 7/1969 Augustine 40/107 X 3,521,798 7/1970 Hill 3,565,246 2/1971 Anderson 3,631,616 1/1972 Hill 40/21 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant Examiner-.l. H. Wolff Attorney-Irwin C. Alter, Phillip A. Weiss and .1. Warren Whitesel 57 ABSTRACT A spinning disk abrades a sheet of metal either while it is stationary or while it is moved. longitudinally. The disk thereby forms a pattern of nested circular or hyperbolic or somewhat semicircular score lines depending upon whether the metal is stationary or is moved. These score lines provide a background of light reflecting areas which change and move as the watch band tilts and tips with normal wrist movement. The scored metal is stamped out in discrete watch band units with the calendars of three months printed thereon. The metal is shaped and formed to preserve three flat panels which give an impression of jewel-like facets.

3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATEN TEDscr 4 ma FIGBA INVENTOR VINCENT ANDERSON BY QQZ W W4 TTO RNEYS THREE-MONTH WATCH BAND CALENDAR WITH JEWELRY-LIKE SURFACE This invention relates to processes for highlighting the indicia on watch band calendars and for making jewel-like facets thereon. More particularly, the invention relates to processes for providing high volume, low cost watch band calendars, each of which has the calendars of three consecutive months printed thereon.

Reference is made to a patent application (now U.S. Pat. No. 3,603,014) originally filed July 31, 1967, by Walter A. Schomburg, and assigned to the assignee of this application. That Schomburg patent shows a process for making a watch band calendar having a jewelry-like surface appearance. More particularly, a circular spin finish is applied to a thin metal sheet, before a calendar is printed thereon. The spin finish appears when the metal surface is abraded by rotating a resiliently ended, spinning device against the surface of the metal, while a grit material is positioned between the end of the device and the surface. For example, this device could be a small circular disk of sandpaper, or the like; or, it could be a felt or rubber disk rubbing against a loose grit sprinkled over the surface of the metal.

The abrasion forms a plurality of generally concentric score lines with the center point of scoring substantially coinciding with the axis of the spinning shaft. The sheet of spin finished metal is then formed on a punch press, for example, into a central panel with the center point of the score lines positioned at approximately the center of the panel. At least one tab is integrally formed on the central panel and dimensioned to at least partially wrap around a wrist watch band. Next, a calendar is imprinted on the scored panel with the center of the calendar located at approximately the center point of the score lines. The normal wrist motion causes a variation in highlighting at different areas of the panel and calendar when the shifting light gives an image somewhat like that of a blurred spinning propeller. The Schomburg process makes a beautiful watch band calendar which has achieved a widespread success with substantial commercial recognition.

A related invention is disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 176,998, filed Sept. 1, l9?! now U. S. Pat. No. 3,710,489, entitled WATCI-IBAND CAL- ENDAR WITH JEWELRY-LIKE SURFACE, and also assigned to the assignee of this invention. Here, a sheet of metal is abraded by a spinning disk while the sheet is moved longitudinally during the abrasion (hereinafter called drag spin). The spinning disk thereby forms an elongated pattern of uniformly nested hyperbolic or somewhat semicircular score lines, which reflect linear bands of light that move and shift as the abraded metal is tipped or tilted. Monthly calendars are printed over the score lines. Thus, behind the calendars, a background of light reflecting areas change and shift as the watch band tilts and tips with normal wrist movement.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a new and improved process for applying a jewelry-like finish with a faceted surface to watch band calendars. Here, an object is to provide for a display of the calendars of three months on each watch band, with each of the three months being displayed on a separate facet.

In keeping with an aspect of the invention, these and other objects are accomplished by a three-month wrist band calendar which prominently displays the current month and, to a lesser degree, the past and the coming month. Means are provided for causing this threemonth calendar to arch somewhat and to fit to the contour of a watch band positioned on a wrist. The notches on the back or sides of the calendar enable an easy manual adjustment to fit various wrist curvatures with out bending the individual calendar faces. Thus, the unique notches or scoring positions each of the three months on its own plane, which gives the utmost in legibility. It tends to isolate the specific month that the.

wearer views. Also, the drag spin score lines add a jewel-like facet appearance.

The nature of a preferred embodiment of the invention for accomplishing these and other objects of the invention may be understood best from a study of the attached drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an inventive three-month watch: band calendar having a drag spin finish and incorporating the principles of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a three-month calendar having a spin finish;

FIG. 2A is a plan view of the first embodiment of a three-month calendar blank in the form in which it appears after being stamped out of a sheet of metal;

FIG. 2B is a similar plan view of the second embodiment three-month calendar blank, having four tabs and notches on the side;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of the watch band of FIGS. 2A and 28 showing how the calendar arches when indented or scored on the reverse side;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a modification in which embossments are formed along the edges of the calendar to preserve the panel-like surface of the calendar;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a six tab, third embodiment which is notched to preserve the panel-like plane surface.

A thin sheet of aluminum, which may have a thickness in the order of 0.012 inch or more, is surfaced in any suitable manner. Then, it is colored (if desired) and calendars are printed thereon. A suitable protective finish is placed over the calendars, and then the calendars are stamped out, as discrete watch band units.

As seen in FIG. 2, each discrete unit comprises an elongated panel 10 having opposing tabs 11-16. In FIG. 2A four of these tabs ill-14 are located on the four corners, and two of these tabs 15,16 are located on the center of the panel 10. In FIG. 23, there are only four of these tabs 11', 12', 13' and 14, which are centered with respect to the outside two calendars. The panel 10 fits over and is positioned parallel to a watch band. The tabs 11-16 bend around the watch band to hold it in place.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the panel is arched to conform to the general peripheral contours of a wrist. In FIG. 3A, the calendar panels are separated by an angular band preferably of about 10. The back of the panel 10 may be indented or scored fairly deeply at 20, 21, which are under the junctions between three discrete sub-panel areas 22-24 on the panel 10. In FIG. 3A, the bend is imparted by the forming die. The act of scoring or indenting (FIG. 38) causes the end subpanels 22, 24 to slightly tip downwardly, with respect to the central sub-panel 23, thereby forming an arch which approximates the arch of a wrist watch band.

If the wearer finds the arch to be slightly out of curvature with respect to the curvature of his wrist and wishes to have a greater or lesser are, he will bend the panel 10. Since the prebending of FIG. 3A or the score lines 20, 21 weaken the panel 10 at these two points, the bending occurs at these points. Hence, the subpanel surfaces 22-24 tend to remain planes, (unless the wearer willfully and deliberately distorts them during the bending process).

Normally, the bending or the score lines 20, 21 preshape the panel sufficiently so that the sub-panels are not bent. However, in a second embodiment, to further insure the retention of the plane surfaces of the subpanel, embossed ridges 30, 31 may be formed on opposite sides of the panel. The embossed ridges terminate near the score lines 20, 21. This embossment provides still greater rigidity of the sub-panels 22-24 and further insures against an unwanted bending.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 2B and 6, the metal is made somewhat thicker to further resist unwanted bending and to preserve the plane-like surface. Here, to facilitate bending at only the scored lines 20, 21, the edges of the panel 10 are notched at 33-36. Sometimes, to further assist in preserving the flat plane, the underside of the blank may be indented or scored at 37-42, sufficiently to insure a fairly sharp crease line at the places where the tabs 11-16 fold over. This angular bend strengthens the edges of sub-panels 22-24 and planes of the calendar surface.

In keeping with an aspect of the invention, these subplane areas are given a jewelry-like finish. In greater detail, FIG. 2A is here shaded as a graphical representation of a drag spin finish lightly scored on the side of the band opposite to the deep score lines 20, 21. When a piece of metal having this finish is tipped and tilted, the reflected light appears as bands of reflected light 44 and darkness 43 which sweep longitudinally across the calendar face. The optical effect is somewhat similar to the optical effect in a tigers eye jewel stone.

The method of making a drag spin finish is disclosed in my above identified co-pending application. More particularly, this finish is made by a plurality of rotating or spinning devices held against the metal surface. Each device has a resilient end with grit, or other abrasive material, positioned between the resilient end and the metal surface. It is not too important whether the grit is loose or is attached to a sheet of backing material. Concentric score lines are thus formed about a central point, coinciding with the shaft axis. These shafts may be aligned, side-by-side, and mounted to raise and lower simultaneously so that, a plurality of such drag spun areas are simultaneously formed in multiple side-by-side relationship.

When the rotating shafts are lowered onto the metal and the metal is moved in direction A, nested score lines 46 are formed in a somewhat semicircular or hyperbolic arc or a segment thereof. An exemplary three of the nested score lines are numbered 47, 48, 49. A linear drive table is preferably used to move the metal plate uniformly and without any discontinuity of motion, so that the score lines will be uniformly spaced.

In FIG. 2B, the same procedures are followed except that the metal is not moved while it is being abraded by the spinning device. Here, there is a circular spin finish as taught by the above identified Schomburg patent. However, as best seen in FIG. 1B, the angular bend causes light to have a different effect on each of the planes of panels 22, 23', 24'. On the end panels 22', 24', the scoring is similar to the drag spin, and the light and dark areas appear as bands. On the center panel 23', there is a circular spin, and the light and the dark areas appear somewhat as a spinning propeller.

The spun sheet is cleaned, and a fullsupply of discrete monthly calendars are printed thereon, with the scoring centered with respect to the calendar. The calendars may be rotated with respect to the score lines, in any convenient amount, such as displaced from the disclosure in the drawings. For example, in FIG. 1, an August calendar is seen at 50, in a rotated position with respect to the other calendars 51, 52 for the preceding and succeeding months of July and September.

Next, the sheet of metal is coated with either a clear or gold transparent lacquer to give a silver or gold surface appearance. For other effects, any suitable col-.

ored lacquer may also be used.

This practical three-month wrist band calendar prominently displays the current month at 50 and to a somewhat lesser degree, the past and the coming months at 51, 52. The two incised or scored lines 20, 21 on the backside of this three-month calendar allows it to fit the contour of the watch band. In addition, the manufacturing process for blanking out his calendar, and scoring it, imparts a natural arc, to the watch band calendar, so that it might fit the wearers wrist without further adjustment. Or, if required, the notches or scoring enables an easy manual adjustment to fit various wrist curvatures, without bending the individual calendar faces. The wearer is not required to form the elongated calendar panel as a smooth curving surface over the curvature of the wrist, which inevitably produces wrinkles or other types of distortions on the calendar face. Moreover, in a lower cost embodiment, a simple satin finish may be substituted for the scoring.

This unique use of manufacture enables each of the three months to have its own plane, which gives the utmost in legibilty. It tends to isolate the specific month that the wearer wishes to view, thus precluding the visual effect of a busy and cluttered surface. When a spin finish is added, there is a jewel-like appearance on the facets to each of these planes. This finish makes an extremely attractive as well as functional calendar. Since each of the three calendar faces is on a different plane, the visual effect from the spin finish is most noticeable and attractive.

The invention is subject to various modifications. For example, the foregoing specification has spoken of sheets of metal, such as aluminum (which may be 0.012 inch thick). However, any other suitable metal, such as steel, bronze, or the like, may also be used. Moreover, the other forms of background finishes may also be used. Therefore, the appended claims are to be construed to cover all equivalent structures.

I claim:

1. A wristwatch calendar product made by the process of:

a. fonning a scored finish on the surface of an elongated thin sheet of bright metal by abrading said bright metal by a grit material positioned on said surface, whereby said abrasion forms a plurality of score lines,

b. forming said scored sheet metal into a central panel having two side sub-panels integral therewith, with said score lines centered on said central panel, at least two tabs integrally formed on said sheet metal and dimensioned to at least partially wrap around a wristwatch band,

. imprinting a three-month calendar on said sheet of metal with one month calendar at the middle of the central panel and preceding and succeeding month calendars centered on said two sub-panels,

. the imprinting step (c) forming each of said calendars on said panel with the center of said calendars being located at approximately the center of said score lines,

. arching of said panel along lines dividing said cengle facet of a jewel, and

f. said scoring step includes the step of applying a light background scoring of a uniformly-nested pattern of semi-circular on hyperbolic score lines formed by a linear drag spin, the center of the direction of said drag spin coinciding with the elongated center axis of said sheet of metal.

2. The calendar of claim 1 and the further steps of dividing said sub-panels by two deeply scored parallel lines on one side of said metal to impart said arch curve, said scored finish lines being lightly scored on the opposite side of said metal, said lightly scored finish lines being applied to said metal prior to the formation of said calendars thereon and to provide a jewel-like background reflective area.

3. The calendar of claim 1 and the further step of shaping said panel to resist bending and preserving the plane surface of said panel.

i I0! It i i Disclaimer 3,755,940.Vincent Anderson, Chicago, Ill. THREE-MON TH WATCH BAND CALENDAR WITH JEWELRY LIKE SURFACE. Patent dated Sept. 4, 1973. Disclaimer filed Mar. 19, 1973, by the assignee, Uhz'oago Etching Oarpomtz'on. Hereby disclaims the portion of the term of the patent subsequent to Jan. 16, 1990.

[Oficial Gazette J anucwy 8, 1 974.] 

1. A wristwatch calendar product made by the process of: a. forming a scored finish on the surface of an elongated thin sheet of bright metal by abrading said bright metal by a grit material positioned on said surface, whereby said abrasion forms a plurality of score lines, b. forming said scored sheet metal into a central panel having two side sub-panels integral therewith, with said score lines centered on said central panel, at least two tabs integrally formed on said sheet metal and dimensioned to at least partially wrap around a wristwatch band, c. imprinting a three-month calendar on said sheet of metal with one month calendar at the middle of the central panel and preceding and succeeding month calendars centered on said two sub-panels, d. the imprinting step (c) forming each of said calendars on said panel with the center of said calendars being located at approximately the center of said score lines, e. arching of said panel along lines dividing said central panel and said two side panels to form said three sub-panels into a Generally curved arch form matching the peripheral contours of a human wrist, after said arching said panels being plane surfaces with angular bends between them whereby, when said watch calendar is mounted on a watchband, the normal wrist motion causes a variation in highlighting different areas of said panel and calendar, with each plane being displayed somewhat as a single facet of a jewel, and f. said scoring step includes the step of applying a light background scoring of a uniformly-nested pattern of semicircular on hyperbolic score lines formed by a linear drag spin, the center of the direction of said drag spin coinciding with the elongated center axis of said sheet of metal.
 2. The calendar of claim 1 and the further steps of dividing said sub-panels by two deeply scored parallel lines on one side of said metal to impart said arch curve, said scored finish lines being lightly scored on the opposite side of said metal, said lightly scored finish lines being applied to said metal prior to the formation of said calendars thereon and to provide a jewel-like background reflective area.
 3. The calendar of claim 1 and the further step of shaping said panel to resist bending and preserving the plane surface of said panel. 